Garlic Lemon Butter Seared Scallops

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb sea scallops side muscle removed
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1–2 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper

Preparation

1. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt right before cooking.
2. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to a large sauté pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Get the fat good and hot and almost to the smoking point. Add scallops and sear for 1 1/2 -2 minutes on each side. They should have a golden crust on each side. Do not overcrowd the pan, so if necessary, cook in batches. As cooked, remove to plate.
3. Wipe out the skillet. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet over low heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add lemon juice and return scallops to pan. Warm scallops for 1-2 minutes, turning several times to get them in the lemon butter. Sprinkle with parsley, salt, and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.